Biggar Little Festival 2018 is not short on talent

Don't Go Breaking My Heart...Kiki Dee will bring multi-instrumentalist Carmelo Luggeri with her to Biggar, rather than her old pal Elton. But it's still certain to be a sell-out concert and the advice is to get your tickets, quick!

Julie Currie

They will all be taking centre stage at this year’s Biggar Little Festival!

A leg up...but Scottish comedian Larry Dean doesn't really need it as he's already won rave reviews across the country. So make sure you get the chance to see him here in Clydesdale before he starts selling out stadiums.

As ever, the festival committee has pulled out all the stops to create a varied programme for the 16th staging of the event.

And it is also moving with the times, with a little help from friends at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Judy Jordan, publicity officer, explained: “We’ve set up a new online ticketing service which the Edinburgh Fringe team are operating on our behalf.

“We contacted them to ask if they could help set it up and they couldn’t do more – they have been so helpful.

Crime-writing queen...author Val McDermid needs no introduction and her talk at Biggar Library, organised by Atkinson-Pryce Books, is sure to be a thriller!

“So we’ll be using their system and they will be taking the bookings for us.”

As ever, though, Biggar Corn Exchange will remain at the beating heart of the festival, serving as the box office during the 10-day event from Thursday, October 18, to Sunday, October 28.

Thanks to another packed programme of events, the town is gearing up for what will be a busy month.

Kiki Dee is sure to be a sell out, even though her partner on this occasion won’t be Elton John. Performing alongside Kiki, whose show will feature well known hits and self-penned material, will be multi-instrumentalist Carmelo Luggeri.

The duo will take to the Municipal Hall stage on Thursday, October 25, at 8pm but Judy had one word of warning for fans.

She said: “The concert will be a guaranteed sell out so our advice is to get your tickets (priced £18) now – we don’t want to go breaking your heart!”

The festival is renowned for bringing Scottish comedians, such as Kevin Bridges, to town – just before they hit the big time.

With more than 50 events spread across the ten days, it’s difficult to summarise them all in one article.

However, thousands of festival programmes have been produced for those who want to take a closer look at what’s on; it can also be downloaded from the website at www.biggarlittlefestival.com.

For James Softley, the man at the festival committee helm for the last ten years, it’s the culmination of almost a year’s work – before it starts again for next year!

James said: “I have spent some weeks travelling through Europe this year and have been heartened to come across so many arts and cultural festivals, not just in the large cities but also in smaller towns and villages.

“This just goes to strengthen my view that Biggar Little Festival is on the right track.

“As a genuine community event with great local support and participation, it has a bright future ahead of it.

“I feel that once again we have put together an interesting and varied programme of events in 2018 with something to suit all tastes.

“I’d like to thank our sponsors, funders and patrons for helping to make the festival financially viable and our event organisers and members for their participation.

“Lastly, I’d like to thank our volunteers and committee for all their hard work.

“Without their determination, time, effort, passion, commitment and dedication, nothing would happen.

“None of this would be possible, of course, without the continued support of our lovely audiences.

“We hope they will enjoy the programme we have lined up and continue to support our Little Festival in 2018.”